Horologe system



Nov. 5, 1935.

'. McL. NlcoLso-N 2,020,039

HORoLoGEvsYsTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 21, 19251 Trans.

INVENTOR Alljzxantler MELEau Nimlsun "Y www ATTORNEY Nlov. 5, 1935.AfMcl.. NICQLSON `2,020,039

'HoRoLoGEsYsTEM Filed. Feb. 21. 1951 l 2 Sheets-sheer E 2- Eff-E lr g1.14m

' lNvENoR l Alexander MELean Nicolson RM1/mw ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 5,1935 AUNI'IED srirrssv PA'rr-:Nrgorrlcslv/ ammo nosono'os srs'rmAlexander McLean Nicolson, New York, N. Y.. assigner to CommunicationPatents, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware ApplicationFebruary 21, 1931, Serial No. 517.389 1n claims. (ci. iss-s4) ologeinstruments in synchronism or at a uniform travel, and for adjustment ofany loss of synchronism or variances in travel. For instance, it isAwell known in the art how a timepiece may be corrected at periodicintervals for any increase or decrease vin speed. The disclosure of sucha time correcting system lmay be found. in my copending applicationSerial Number 489,-

571, tiled October 18, 1930.

The present invention contemplates a system which utilizes the signalsto actualLv indicate the particular instant of any period, the motivepower or force required to adjust the instrument from instant to instantbeing obtained directly from a received signal which is transmittedcontinuously or at rapid intervals, depending upon how accurate atimepiece is desired. In brief, the invention operates as a meter, inthat the frequency being received is indicated on. the time keepinginstruments, the proper frequency being received at the right instant.In one modification, reeds, tuned to a particular frequency or a narrowband of frequencies, are employed whose amplitude of vibration dependsupon the strength of the re` ceived signal. The reeds are so adjustedthat very little energy is required to vibrate them, and consequentlyno' amplifiers or local'power source is necessary to produce anindication within a conf siderable area. surrounding a transmitter. Of

course, with the larger receiving instruments in,

may operate from the same signals transmitted from the same transmittersimultaneously, and

are being claimed in a divisional application Serial No. 603.675, illedApril 6, 1932. The transmitting end of the system may constitute cyclicvariable frequency oscillators having their tuning controlled by amaster time- I piece. By mechanical coupling. the master mechanismcontinuously tunes the oscillators through a complete cycle offrequencies chosen for transmission. The mechanism controls severaloscillating circuits, the tuning of each circuit being l. accomplishedat a different rate such that one condenser is varied through a`lcomplete cycle during one hour, while the other condenser takes twelvehours to complete its period of variation. Such a variation is inaccordancewith the stand- 15 ard measurement of time. 4

The invention will be more fully understood .by reference to thefollowing4 description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, inwhich:

Figure l represents a ydiagrammatic circuit of a transmitter.

vFig. 2 is a diagrammatic sketch of a receiving system.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a -receiving instrument.

Fig. 4 is a modification of the tem; and Fili. 5 isa detail of themodincatlon Referring particularly to Fig. 1. an oscillator circuit lisshown with a vacuum tube 6, coupling condenser 1, grid inductance 9 anda fixed tuning inductance I0, comprising the primaryl of an outputtransformer Il. A variable tuning capacity element il has its rotormechanically connected to a master clock, mechanism il. This clockmechanism may be locally controlled receiving sysshown in in variousways such as by temperature adiustments to obtain accurate timeindications therefrom. A similar oscillator circuit I6 includes a vacuumtub'e Il, coupling capacity I8, gridinductance I8 and iixed tuninginductance 2|, comprising the primary of an output transformer 22. Thevariable tuningcapacity 23 has s I its rotor connected to the mastertiming mechanism il, and the construction of this mechanism is such thatthe ratio between driving elements `is 12 to l. The rotor. therefore, ofthe capacity element I1 is rotated as indicated at one revolution perhour, while the rotor of the capacity element 2,3 is rotated at onerevolution in twelve hours.

IIv'he outputs of the two oscillators with their u periodic varyingfrequency is impressed upon a transmitting circuit 25 of any well knowntype from'which it may be broadcast over antenna 20 or transmitted overa wire line 21. 'I'he two oscillators generate thevsame band offrequencies,the difference betweenV the two being that one generates itsentire band in one hours time, while the second generates thesame bandin a twelve hour period. The frequency range generated is, preferably inthe vneighborhood of 600 cycles or multiple thereofbut may be of anydesired width within practical limits and may lie within the broadcastfrequency spectrum or in a lower frequency range, depending somewhatupon the medium of tron.

The receiving circuit shown in Fig. 2 employs an antenna Il or wire line3l with a receiver 32 of the ordinary amplifier type. It will, ofcourse, be realized that this receiver may include a detector circuit aswell as an amplifier in case a modulator is used at the transmitter formodulating a carrier wave with the low frequency band. Attached to thereceiver 32 by conductors 34 is an indicating instrument 36 inscribedwith a clock face. Around the circumference of the escutcheon plate isan equally spaced plurality of reeds 38, an end view thereof being shownin this drawing. Each reed has a construction differing from the othersand is, therefore-resonant to a definite frequency. Each reed `also hasa piece vof magnetic material 4I such as soft iron placed thereon whichis affected by the currents in a winding I8. V

In Fig. 3, the instrument 36 is shown in crosssection. Although in Fig.2, the energy for vibrating the reeds 38 is obtained from the outputv ofthe receiver 32, the'winding 39 of Fig. 3 receives energy directly froman antenna coil Il. This antenna coil Il may be employed when theinstrument is in sufcient proximity to the transmitting station for reedvibration without the` current, separation between frequencies beingobtained by mechanical resonance. In accordance with the generation ofthese frequencies the reeds receiving the smaller amplitude currentcorrespond to the hour hand of a timepiece, while the stronger signalvibrates the reeds corresponding to the minute hand.

Referring to Fig. 4, `a plurality of crystals l5 l are shown placed soas to form a closed path. A receiving antenna I6 which may be in anyposition with respect to the crystals, feeds the crystals through theirelectrodes 41 as shown in detail in Fig. 5. Each crystal isdimensionedto operate at one or a narrow band of frequencies as thecyclic frequency band is impressed upon the crystals. The indicationthat the crystal is .operating is, preferably, in the form of a lightspot or glowI discharge on its visible surface. Each individual crystalmay be placed in a partially evacuated transparent envelope as shown onpage 18 of Q. S. T." for September, 1926,v

a magazine published' by the American Radio Relay League, Inc., atHartford, Conn., or all of the crystals may be placed in a common an- Ynular envelope surrounding them or surrounding the entire apparatus.Furthermore, the envelopes may contain helium, neon or the like. If twospots are produced, the intensity between one or the otherin accordancewith the strength of the received may distinguish them. An' otherindication may take the form of reeds attached to the crystalsthemselves. Similarto the system of Fig. 2, the receiving instrument ofFig. 4 may be supplied from a local receiver with a much stronger signalstrengththan that obtained from the antenna IB in case the instrument isused at long distances from the transmitter.

' The operation of the system is obvious from the above descriptionofthe apparatus, but will be briefly reviewed. The oscillators 5 and I8 at1g the transmitter each produce the. same band of frequencies having thesame range. The production of these bands, however, is at differentrates, the oscillator 5 generating its band in one hour, while theoscillator I6 produces the same band 20 in twelve hours. Let us assumefor purposes of description that the band has. a range of 600 cycleslying between the limits of 5000 and 5600 cycles. We will further assumethat the instrument 36 shown at Fig. 2 has on its'face a termination of60 reeds which permitsve lreeds f or each hour, or a reed for eachminute as measured bythe minuteindicator. Let us further assume thateach reed is tuned ten cycles apart, that is, the reed at the one oclockposition is 30 resonant to a frequency band of 5000 cycles plus or minusfive cycles, the reed indicating six minutes afterone will then be tunedto a frequency of 5010 cycles plus or minus five cycles, while the reedshowing seven minutes will then be tuned 35 to a frequency of 5020cycles, and ,so on for the remainder of the sixty reeds. To provide theproperl timing of the frequency to the reeds, the clock I 4 varies thefrequency of the oscillator 5 at the rate of ten cycles per minute or-600 per a hour, while the frequency of the oscillator IB is varied atthe rate of 50 cycles per hour. Furthermore, the oscillator 5 has alarger output ampli-- tude than the oscillator I6, causing the reedwhich Vvaries at the rate of ten'cycles per minute 4| to have a largerswing and is, therefore, the minute hand. The slower changing frequencyfrom the oscillator IB operates the reeds at a smaller 'amplitude at therate of 50 cycles per hour, and consequently constitutes the hour hand.5( The same relationship controls the glow discharge of the crystals I5in the system shown in Fig. 4. By starting the oscillators at the sameinstant to produce the lowest frequency in their bands, and thisstarting point occurring at one oclock in accordance withthe aboveassumptions, then the proper relationship will be main` tainedthereafter to operate the indicating lnstrument as an accuratetimepiece. The above frequency values are given here for the purpose ofillustrating the operation of the system, it being understood that afrequency range of 60 cycles or any multiple thereof may be used toprovide similar results.

Although the invention has been described in connection with horologeinstruments, it is applicable to other uses in which a visual indicationis required of certain events in Aa chronological order, such as stockreports, etc., the full scope of theinvention being dened by theappended 7( claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electrical transmission system, means ,l for transmitting twocyclic varying frequency currents of different amplitudes, sources ofsaid 7l cmren,meansfcrreceivingsaidcurrentsatareceivingpoinhapluralityofmechanicailytimedreedslocatedinaclosedpatmandmeansforimpressinguponsaidreedssaidcyclicvaryingcurrents,saidreedsvibratingwhenreceivingacurrentoi'thefrequeney'towhichanyparticularreedistiinedthedegreeofvibrationdistinguishingbetweensaicicurrentsources.y

2.1naneiectrlcal ^---`=iforgenerailngtwocyclicvaryingfrequencycurrentsofdiflerent amplitudes,meansfor receiving `said currents-atadistant stationaplurality ofcrystaldeviceshavingdii'i'erentresonant points, means for imp s uponsaid crystals thereceived currents, saidcrystalsresponding tothecurrentreceivedwhenthefrequencyisthattowhichanyofsaidcrystalsareresonant.saidcrystalresponsebeingintheformoi'agiowdischargeofadensityproportionaltothestrengtnofthefrequencyreceived.

3. Inanelectrical on system, apluraiity of sources for generating twocyclic varying frequency currents having constant amplitudesof dinerentvalues, means for transmitting saidcurrentstoareceivingpointapluralityofmechanically resonant bodies, means at said receiving point forimpressing said currents simultaneously upon said plurality ofmechanically resonant bodies, and means for producing from said bodies avisual indication of the received currents when the currents have afrequency at which the bodies are mechanically resonant, said bodiesbetweensaidsources bythe particularamplitudeofvibration.-

4. Inanelectricalsystemamastertimepiecehavingan hourhandandaminute hand,means for generating two constant amplitude cyclic varyingfrequencycurrentsofditlcrent values,oneofsaidcurrentsvaryinsinfrequency inaccordance with the movements of said hourhandandtheothervaryinginfrequencyinaccordanee withthemovement of saidminute hand.

vand a plurality of indicating bodies upon which said currents may besaid indicating bodies operatinginaccordancewith the frequencyoftbecurrentstransmittedandinintensityinaccordance'with the amplitude ofthe currents to distingiushthemovementsofthehourhandfrom theminute hand.Y

6. Inanelectricainamasternmsplseemvimznonrmiminutehanden.

plurality of generators of alternating currents,oneofsaidgeneratorsvaryingthefrequencyof itscurrentinaccorda'ncewiththehourhandand anotherofsaidgeneratorsvaryingthefrequencyofiiscurrentinaccordancewiththeminutehand ofsaidtimepiece. said currentshaving adiii'erence in amplitude t distinguish between said hands, andmeans including a pluralityof'indi- Isaidmeansdetectingtbedifierencebetweenthe frequencies by resonance andbetween amplitudes of the currents by amplitudes' oi' mechanicalvibration.

7. In anelectrical n'system, a mas- 5 ter timepiece having mechanicalelements which move at different velocities bearing a constant ratio toeach other. a plurality of generators loi! electrical currents, meansfor varying the frequency of generation oi' the currents from one of l0said generators in proportion to the velocity of vmovement of one ofsaid elements, means for varying the frequency of generation of thecurrents from another of said generators inproportiontothevelocityofmovementofasecondelel` ment of said timepiece.said different frequency currents having constant amplitudes ofdiiferent values, means for combining the output oi' the generators, aon system for transmitting said varying 'frequency currents to areceiver, 20 and a frequency selective' indicator at said receiver forindicating the frequency variation of each of said generators, theparticular amplitude of variation indicating the particular transmittinggenerator. 26 8. Inanelectrical on system, a master time clock, anelectrical generating system of a deiinitefrequency,mechanlcalconnections between said time clock and said generating meansfor varying the frequency of the output of said 30 4 generator, a secondgenerator of electricaly currents, a connection between said timeclockandsaidsecondgeneratorforvryingthe frequency of the currentsgenerated by said second generatonrthe generation of currents in saidrespective generators being at different amplitudes and maintained at asubstantially definite ratio with respect tok one another. means fortransmitting the output of said generators to a receiving point, areceiving device at said receiving point for transforming saidelectrical currents into visual indications of the particular frequencybeing received. and lcommon means for indicating on said receiver thechanges in said received frequency. f as 9. Inanelectricalsystem,amas

ter timepiece. a plurality of generators of alternating currents ofdierent amplitudes, means for varying the frequencyof the currentsgenerated by eachofsaidgeneratorsinacertaincyclic man- I0 y ner, meansfor connecting said last mentioned means to said master timepiece forthe operation thereof at different rates of change. means `fortransmitting said currents to a receiving point,

A means for transforming said received currents 66,

into visual indications, said means distinguishing between thefrequencies of each generator and indicating the particular vgeneratorin which the frequency change occurs by a particular amplitude.

'10. In an electrical a pluralityofgenu-atorsofalternatingcurrents,means. forchangingtheoi'saidcurrents ata` uniform rate diilere'nt-foreach generator, said currents having constant amplitudes different fores each generator, means for transmitting saidcurrentstoareceivenandmeansforimpressing said received currents on afrequency selective device. said device .distinguishing between saidgenerators by the amplitudeof'tbe current at each fre- 1oquencyandbetweentheparticular 1 ALEXANDER Mci-EAN MOOI-SON.

